Convertible personal watercraft configuration device and method

ABSTRACT

A convertible watercraft configuration device may include a plurality of attachments including at least a water shield attachment assembly. The water shield attachment assembly may include a plurality of fabric pole sleeves substantially covering a plurality of rigid poles, a plurality of clear shield sections attached to the plurality of fabric pole sleeves, an attachment flap attached to the plurality of clear shield section and the plurality of fabric pole sleeves, and a shield fastener attached to the attachment flap. The water shield attachment assembly may attach to a watercraft attachment strip assembly. The plurality of attachments may removably attach to edges of a hull of a watercraft.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/839,751, filed Jun. 26, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to personal watercrafts and, more particularly, to attaching and detaching accessories to personal watercrafts.

Placing fixtures on a personal watercraft that cannot be removed easily prevents the personal watercraft from handling its original intended use.

Sometimes however, an owner of a personal watercraft may want to use their watercraft in different ways without the problems of fixtures attached to the personal watercraft. Personal watercrafts are inherently a wet ride. A person cannot fish with, travel long distances, or add additional features to the personal watercrafts. Other shields that are in existence are cumbersome, and permanently fixed to the personal watercraft preventing the personal watercraft to be used as it was designed to be used.

As can be seen, there is a need for a method and device that removably provides wind and wave protection to a personal watercraft providing options for the owner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a convertible watercraft configuration device comprises: a plurality of attachments comprising at least a water shield attachment assembly, wherein the water shield attachment assembly comprises: a plurality of rigid poles; a plurality of fabric pole sleeves substantially covering the plurality of rigid poles; a plurality of clear shield sections attached to the plurality of fabric pole sleeves; an attachment flap attached to the plurality of clear shield section and the plurality of fabric pole sleeves; and a shield fastener attached to the attachment flap; and a water shield attachment assembly comprising: an attachment assembly fastener removably attached to the shield fastener of the water shield attachment assembly; an attachment strip fabric attached to the attachment assembly fastener; an attachment strip fastener attached to the attachment strip fabric; and a strip attaches to the attachment strip fastener, wherein the water shield attachment assembly attaches to a hull of a watercraft.

In another aspect of the present invention, a convertible watercraft configuration attachment device comprises: a plurality of attachments comprising at least a water shield attachment assembly, wherein the water shield attachment assembly comprises: a plurality of support rods; a plurality of fabric sleeves substantially covering the plurality of support rods; a plurality of clear shield sections attached to the plurality of fabric sleeves; and at least one pocket having an interior housing and a closure component, wherein the at least one pocket attaches to a hull of a watercraft, wherein the water shield attachment assembly removably is stored within the interior housing of the at least one pocket.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for converting a personal watercraft comprises the steps of: installing a plurality of quick release locks along a hull of the watercraft; and removably attaching a plurality of attachments to the hull of the watercraft, wherein the plurality of attachments comprises at least a water shield attachment assembly, wherein the water shield attachment assembly comprises: a plurality of rigid poles; a plurality of fabric pole sleeves substantially covering the plurality of rigid poles; a plurality of clear shield sections attached to the plurality of fabric pole sleeves; an attachment flap attached to the plurality of clear shield section and the plurality of fabric pole sleeves; and a shield fastener attached to the attachment flap; and a water shield attachment assembly comprising: an attachment assembly fastener removably attached to the shield fastener of the water shield attachment assembly; an attachment strip fabric attached to the attachment assembly fastener; an attachment strip fastener attached to the attachment strip fabric; and a strip attaches to the attachment strip fastener, wherein the water shield attachment assembly attaches to a hull of a watercraft.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a detail perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a detail perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing the movement for release;

FIG. 5 is a detail section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a detail rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention the release of components;

FIG. 7 is a detail section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention with a water shield in an upright position; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention with a water shield in a collapsed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a convertible watercraft configuration device that may include a plurality of attachments including at least a water shield attachment assembly. The water shield attachment assembly may include a plurality of fabric pole sleeves substantially covering a plurality of rigid poles, a plurality of clear shield sections attached to the plurality of fabric pole sleeves, an attachment flap attached to the plurality of clear shield section and the plurality of fabric pole sleeves, and a shield fastener attached to the attachment flap. The water shield attachment assembly may attach to a watercraft attachment strip assembly. The plurality of attachments may removably attach to edges of a hull of a watercraft.

The present invention may allow a personal watercraft to be configured for protection from wind and waves. A plurality of additional features including a water shield attachment assembly may be removably attached to the watercraft. The water shield attachment assembly may provide protection from wind and water of equipment and the operators of the watercraft.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 9, a plurality of additional features may be removably secured to a watercraft 16. The plurality of additional features may include a plurality of attachments such as a water shield attachment assembly 10, a radar arch attachment 12, a pole holder attachment 14 or the like. The radar arch attachment 12, the pole holder attachment 14 and sections of the water shield attachment assembly 10 may be removably attached to the watercraft 16 by a plurality of quick release locks or the like. Each quick release lock may include a quick release base 18 attached to the watercraft 16. The quick release base 18 may include a quick release slot 20 and quick release button 26. Each additional feature may include a rigid post to pole section 22 and a pivoting quick release post 24. The rigid post to pole section 22 may enter and be removably secured in the quick release slot 20 of the quick release base 18.

The water shield attachment assembly 10 may include a plurality of rigid poles 28, a plurality of fabric pole sleeves 30, and a plurality of clear shield sections 34. The plurality of rigid poles 28 may be substantially covered by the plurality of fabric pole sleeves 30. The plurality of fabric pole sleeves 30 and plurality of clear shield sections 34 may be attached to an attachment flap 32. The attachment flap 32 may be made from a fabric, or the like. The attachment flap 32 may be connected to a shield fastener 36, such as a shield hooked fastener attached to an upper zipper portion 38. As mentioned above, the plurality of rigid poles 28 may be removably attached to the watercraft 16 by a plurality of quick release locks. Components, other than the plurality of rigid poles 28, of water shield attachment assembly 10 may attach to the watercraft 16 by a watercraft attachment strip assembly 40 or the like. The watercraft attachment strip assembly 40 may include an attachment assembly fastener such as a zipper pull 46 securing the upper zipper portion 38 to a lower zipper 44. The lower zipper 44 may be attached to an attachment strip fabric 42. The attachment strip fabric 42 may be attached to an attachment strip fastener 48. The attachment strip fastener 48 may be attached to a strip 50 attached to the watercraft 16.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show an alternate embodiment 52 of the water shield attachment. In the alternate embodiment 52, at least one pocket 64 may be aligned with a front edge of the watercraft 16. The at least one pocket 64 may each have a closure component, such as a zipper 66 that may allow for the closing of the at least one pocket 64 by way of a zipper pull 68. A plurality of fabric sleeves 54 may substantially enclose a plurality of support rods 56. The fabric sleeves 54 may attach to a plurality of clear shield sections, such as two clear shield sections 58 and one center clear shield section 60. The sections may be connected by a fastener 62, such as a snap or the like. The pocket 64 may allow for the alternate embodiment 52 of the water shield attachment to be stowed out of the way until needed. The alternate embodiment 52 of the water shield attachment may also be removably secured to the watercraft 16 by quick release locks connected to the plurality of support rods 56.

A method of making the present invention may include the following. In certain embodiments, the quick release locks may be attached to a hull of the watercraft 16. The attachment of the quick release locks may occur by cutting into the hull of the watercraft 16 and inserting the quick release locks. The clear shield sections 34 may be made from plastic or the like. The watercraft attachment strip assembly 40 may then be attached to the watercraft 16, by glue, screws, or the like. The water shield attachment assembly 10 may then be attached to the watercraft attachment strip assembly 40 on the watercraft 16. The additional features such as the radar arch attachment 12 and the pole holder attachment 14 may then be attached to the watercraft 16 through the quick release locks along the edges of the watercraft 16. To detach the plurality of features, an operator may release the quick release locks by pressing each quick release button 26.

The water shield attachment assembly 10 may be unzipped and then removed, or placed within the at least one pocket 64 of the alternate embodiment 52 of the water shield attachment’

In certain embodiments, the plurality of additional features may be attached to snowmobiles, four wheel carts, and the like. By removably attaching the additional features, the watercraft 16 may be converted to a boat hybrid which may allow for fishing and the like.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A convertible watercraft configuration device comprising: a plurality of attachments comprising at least a water shield attachment assembly, wherein the water shield attachment assembly comprises: a plurality of rigid poles; a plurality of fabric pole sleeves substantially covering the plurality of rigid poles; a plurality of clear shield sections attached to the plurality of fabric pole sleeves; an attachment flap attached to the plurality of clear shield section and the plurality of fabric pole sleeves; and a shield fastener attached to the attachment flap; and a watercraft attachment strip assembly comprising: an attachment assembly fastener removably attached to the shield fastener of the water shield attachment assembly; an attachment strip fabric attached to the attachment assembly fastener; an attachment strip fastener attached to the attachment strip fabric; and a strip attaches to the attachment strip fastener, wherein the watercraft attachment strip assembly attaches to a hull of a watercraft.
 2. The convertible watercraft configuration device of claim 1, further comprising a radar arch attachment removably attached to the watercraft.
 3. The convertible watercraft configuration device of claim 1, further comprising a pole holder attachment removably attached to the watercraft.
 4. The convertible watercraft configuration device of claim 1, wherein the shield fastener comprises a shield hooked fastener attached to an upper zipper portion.
 5. The convertible watercraft configuration device of claim 4, wherein the attachment assembly fastener comprises zipper pull securing the upper zipper portion to a lower zipper.
 6. A convertible watercraft configuration attachment device comprising: a plurality of attachments comprising at least a water shield attachment assembly, wherein the water shield attachment assembly comprises: a plurality of support rods; a plurality of fabric sleeves substantially covering the plurality of support rods; a plurality of clear shield sections attached to the plurality of fabric sleeves; and at least one pocket having an interior housing and a closure component, wherein the at least one pocket attaches to a hull of a watercraft, wherein the water shield attachment assembly removably is stored within the interior housing of the at least one pocket.
 7. A method for converting a personal watercraft comprising the steps of: installing a plurality of quick release locks along a hull of the watercraft; and removably attaching a plurality of attachments to the hull of the watercraft, wherein the plurality of attachments comprises at least a water shield attachment assembly, wherein the water shield attachment assembly comprises: a plurality of rigid poles; a plurality of fabric pole sleeves substantially covering the plurality of rigid poles; a plurality of clear shield sections attached to the plurality of fabric pole sleeves; an attachment flap attached to the plurality of clear shield section and the plurality of fabric pole sleeves; and a shield fastener attached to the attachment flap; and a watercraft attachment strip assembly comprising: an attachment assembly fastener removably attached to the shield fastener of the water shield attachment assembly; an attachment strip fabric attached to the attachment assembly fastener; an attachment strip fastener attached to the attachment strip fabric; and a strip attaches to the attachment strip fastener, wherein the watercraft attachment strip assembly attaches to a hull of a watercraft.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of cutting holes into the hull of the watercraft to place the plurality of quick release locks.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the shield fastener comprises a shield hooked fastener attached to an upper zipper portion.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the attachment assembly fastener comprises zipper pull securing the upper zipper portion to a lower zipper. 